---
sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/application-development

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Install the ServiceNow SDK

# Install the ServiceNow SDK in an application {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Install the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK) in a local application using Node Package Manager (npm).

## Before you begin

Your system must meet the following minimum requirements to use the latest version of the ServiceNow SDK:

* Node.js v20.18.0
* npm v8.19.3

{#install-servicenow-sdk__ul_mgv_3f3_5bc}To install or upgrade Node.js or npm, see the [installation instructions](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v8/configuring-npm/install) on the npm website.

Role required: admin

## About this task

The ServiceNow SDK is available as an npm package from the [public npm registry](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@servicenow/sdk). The ServiceNow SDK supports integrating with ServiceNow instances beginning with the Washington DC release.

In the following procedure, you install the ServiceNow SDK within a new application using `npx` rather than globally. To install the ServiceNow SDK globally, use the `npm install --global @servicenow/sdk` command.  
Note:  
If you use `npx` to install the ServiceNow SDK in application rather than globally, you must use `npx @servicenow/sdk [command]` rather than `now-sdk [command]` with the ServiceNow SDK CLI.

## Procedure

1. Open a command-line tool on your system.
2. Verify that your system meets the requirements.
   1. Enter `node -v​` to check if you have Node.js installed and which version.
   2. Enter `npm -v` to check if you have npm installed and which version.
   {#install-servicenow-sdk__substeps_ylq_wxy_mzb}
3. Create a local directory for your application.
4. Change directories into the directory for your application using the `cd` command.  

       cd <path/to/directory>

5. Create an application with the ServiceNow SDK.

   | State | Steps |
   | Authentication hasn't been configured | If you haven't added authentication credentials and an alias on your system yet, install the ServiceNow SDK with the `auth` command before creating an application with the `init` command. For example: npx @servicenow/sdk auth --add <instance> For more information, see [Authenticating to a ServiceNow instance with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nL7cd6DX4nhPL7JqXrpiAQ "Authenticate to a ServiceNow instance and store user credentials for accessing the instance on your system with the ServiceNow SDK."). |
   | Authentication has been configured | If you have added authentication credentials, install the ServiceNow SDK in new applications with the `init` command. For example: npx @servicenow/sdk init For more information, see [Create an application with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/D7Yr8kpNG3EfuzyjcenOtg "Create an application to develop in source code with the ServiceNow SDK.") or [Convert an application with the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~iF9NozWfl~cJ7SehysU8w "Convert an existing application to support development in source code with the ServiceNow SDK."). |
   |-|-|

   {#install-servicenow-sdk__choicetable_bpj_k5p_s2c}

## What to do next

Install the ServiceNow Fluent Language server to get language processing and validation for ServiceNow Fluent in Visual Studio Code. For more information, see [Install the ServiceNow Fluent Language server in Visual Studio Code](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/g9f3Xl50o4H_r5OuXrRXyA "Get language processing and validation for ServiceNow Fluent in Visual Studio Code with the ServiceNow Fluent Language server.").
**Related tasks**   

* [Upgrade the ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/YZape0UeE0ckx0RqE8kG3g "Upgrade to the latest version of the ServiceNow SDK for use with instances beginning with the Washington DC release.")
* [Install the ServiceNow Fluent Language server in Visual Studio Code](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/g9f3Xl50o4H_r5OuXrRXyA "Get language processing and validation for ServiceNow Fluent in Visual Studio Code with the ServiceNow Fluent Language server.")